Set of building components for building a plurality of predefined structures

ABSTRACT

A building set includes a plurality of building components. The components may be configured so that one or more predefined structures may be constructed with a set of the components. For example, the set of components may be configured any number of predefined structures may be constructed, such as a table and chairs, a boat, a plane, and so on. The components may be made from a composition including polyolefin. The polyolefin may have a density in the range of about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft 3 ) to about 9 lb/ft 3 . As such, the components are compressible, resilient, and elastic. One or more of the components may include a first retaining element, and one or more of the components may include a second retaining element. The retaining elements are configured to engage together for securing or coupling the components together. For example, the retaining elements may be defined by one or more dimensions, with at least one of the dimensions of one of the retaining elements being greater than a corresponding dimension of the other retaining element. The retaining element with the greater size may be urged or inserted into the other retaining element, thereby being compressed. When received within the other retaining element, the compressed retaining element exerts a spring force, thereby causing the components to be retained by friction between abutting surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to building components, such as toyblocks. The present invention relates in particular to a set of buildingcomponents that may be used to build one or more predefined structures.

2. Description of Related Art

Examples of conventional toy building components include wood blocks andwooden Lincoln Logs®. Each of these examples includes a predeterminednumber of components which may be stacked upon each other and next toeach other to build a structure. Gravity essentially keeps thecomponents together.

Other examples of conventional building components are the Lego®-typecomponents. In these building systems, individual components include twotypes of complementary attachment structure or engagement means.Accordingly, one component can be snapped together with anothercompatible component. Like the wooden building components, theLego®-type components are made from material that is inelastic,non-compressive, and non-resilient.

Given the current state of the art, conventional building blocks aredesigned to attach to each other by predetermined attachment structures(e.g., the Lego®-type attachment structure). Accordingly, suchconventional building blocks are unable to be attached to otherstructurally incompatible building blocks, that is, a Lego® cannot beattached to a wood block. Further, the size of the building componentsis on the order of a few inches such that a large number of componentsneed to be used to construct a large structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a number of embodiments, a building set may include aplurality of building components. The components may be configured sothat one or more predefined structures may be constructed with a set ofthe components. For example, the set of components may be configured sothat any number of predefined structures may be constructed, such as atable and chairs, a boat, a plane, and so on. In a number ofembodiments, the components may be configured so that the predefinedstructures are able to support the weight of a person.

One or more of the components may have a first retaining element, andany number of the components may have a second retaining element. One ormore of the first retaining elements may include resilient material suchthat when retaining elements are engaged together, the first retainingelement is compressed and applies a spring force against the secondretaining element, thereby securing the retaining elements together. Thecomponents may be made from a composition including polyolefin. In someof the embodiments, the polyolefin may have a density in the range ofabout 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³) to about 9 lb/ft³. Accordingly,the components are compressible, resilient, and elastic.

The retaining elements may be defined by one or more dimensions, with atleast one of the dimensions of one of the first retaining elements beinggreater than a corresponding dimension of the second retaining element.Accordingly, the first retaining element compresses while being urged orinserted into the second retaining element. When received within thesecond retaining element, the compressed retaining element exerts thespring force while under compression, thereby retaining the componentstogether with friction between abutting surfaces. To decouple, theretaining elements may be pulled apart.

One of the advantages of the invention is that because of the resiliencyof the material and the configuration of the retaining elements, thecomponents may be connected together by any number of methods. Forexample, if one of the retaining elements is a rectangular peg, then itcan be compressed and urged into a curvilinear socket. When the peg isreceived in the socket and expands, the two components are securedtogether. Accordingly, the building components of the invention allowpeople to utilize their imaginations to build any type of randomstructure in addition to a predefined structure.

Furthermore, in embodiments in which the components are made from acomposition including polyolefin, because of the physical properties ofthis material, the components may be made relatively large (e.g., on theorder of several feet) while still being easy to handle. In addition,the predefined structures made from such components are able to supportthe weight of a person. Accordingly, people can utilize the predefinedstructures as furniture and as play structures.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a building set including a plurality ofbuilding components according to an example of a commercial embodiment;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating building components accordingto a number of embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a predefined structure of some of theembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another predefined structure of otherembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of buildingcomponents and respective retaining elements;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in some of theembodiments;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in otherembodiments;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining elements of FIGS. 5and 6 engaged together;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the engaged retainingelements of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in still otherembodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in yet otherembodiments;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a curvilinear retaining elementengaged with a rectilinear retaining element;

FIG. 10A is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1,illustrating a composition according to a number of embodiments;

FIG. 10B is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1,illustrating a composition according to other embodiments;

FIG. 10C is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1,illustrating a composition according to still other embodiments;

FIG. 10D is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1,illustrating a composition according to yet still other embodiments;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating steps forattaching components according to some of the embodiments;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a resistive heating element;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating methodology for attachingtwo components together according to other embodiments;

FIGS. 14A to 14F respectively illustrate steps in constructing anexample of a predefined structure;

FIGS. 15A to 15G respectively illustrate steps in constructing anotherexample of a predefined structure;

FIGS. 16 to 23 respectively illustrate examples of predefined structuresthat may be constructed with a building set of the invention; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a component according to a number of alternativeembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1A of the drawings, a building set100 includes a plurality of building components 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, . .. , 102 z. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a set 100 of buildingcomponents 102 in plan view, while FIG. 1A illustrates examples of twoof the components in perspective view for clarity. According to a numberof embodiments, the components 102 may be configured so that one or morepredefined structures may be constructed with a set of the components102. As discussed in more detail below, the set 100 of components 102may be configured so that any number of predefined structures may beconstructed, for example, furniture (such as chairs, tables, andcouches) and play structures (such as ships, forts, cars, andairplanes).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the building set 100 may includecomponents 102 that are configured so that a predefined structure 104 aconsisting of a table and chairs may be constructed. In otherembodiments, the same set 100 of building components 102 may beconfigured so that a predefined structure 104 b consisting of anairplane may be constructed, such as shown in FIG. 3. The predefinedstructures 104 will be discussed in more detail below. In addition, anygiven set 100 of building components 102 may be configured to enable twoor more predefined structures 104 to be constructed from the same set100, for example, the table and chairs of FIG. 2 and the airplane ofFIG. 3. Because of the size of the predefined structures 104, in manyembodiments the components 102 may be on the order of feet in size andseveral inches thick.

In a number of embodiments, the components 102 may be made from acomposition including polyolefin. In some of the embodiments, thepolyolefin may have a density in the range of about 1 pound per cubicfoot (lb/ft³) to about 9 lb/ft³. Accordingly, the components 102 possessa number of physical properties that enable the components 102 to becoupled together, including compressibility, resiliency, and elasticity.In many of the embodiments, the composition may include polyethylene.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the components 102,i.e., a first component 102 a, may include a first retaining element 106a, and one or more of the components 102, i.e., a second component 102b, may include a second retaining element 106 b. The retaining elements106 are configured to engage together for securing or coupling thecomponents 102 together.

More specifically, as shown in the embodiments represented in FIGS. 5and 6, the first retaining element 106 a may include or be configured asa peg 108 and the second retaining element 106 b may include or beconfigured as a socket 110. As shown in the drawings, the retainingelements 106 may be defined by one or more dimensions, such as width Wand height H in the rectilinear embodiments shown.

According to some of the embodiments, the peg 108 may have at least onedimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the socket110. For example, the width of the peg 108 may be greater than the widthW of the socket 110 by a predetermined amount a, such that the width ofthe peg 108 is indicated by W+α. In other embodiments, the height of thepeg 108 may also be greater than the height H of the socket 110 by apredetermined amount β, such that the height of the peg 108 is indicatedby H+β.

With the greater size in at least one dimension and because of thecompressibility of the composition comprising the components 102, whilebeing urged or inserted into the socket 110, the peg 108 is compressedinwardly. In addition, the socket 110 may be compressed outwardly.Accordingly, when received within the socket 110 under compression asshown in FIG. 7, because of the resiliency of the composition comprisingthe components 102, the peg 108 exerts outward spring force f₁ as shownin FIG. 7A. In return, the socket 110 exerts an inward spring force f₂.Therefore, the peg 108 is retained within the socket 110 by frictionbetween abutting surfaces, as indicated by reference 111 in FIG. 7A. Todecouple, the peg 108 may be urged or pulled out of the socket 110 toovercome the frictional forces.

In alternative embodiments, the peg 108 and the socket 110 may besubstantially curvilinear as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In theseembodiments, a diameter of the peg 108 may be greater than diameter D ofthe socket 110, as indicated by D+δ. The particular configurations ofthe retaining elements 106 shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6, 8,and 9 are representative of the principles of the invention in that oneor more of the dimensions of one of the retaining elements 106 may begreater than one or more of the dimensions of another one of theretaining elements 106. The retaining elements 106 may be configuredaccording to any number of different configurations.

Because of the compressibility of the composition, the curvilinear peg108 of FIG. 8 may be engaged with the socket 110 of FIG. 6, which isshown in FIG. 9A. In this embodiment, the diameter of the peg 108 may begreater than the width W and/or the height H of the socket 110 so thatthe peg 108 may be compressed to be received within the socket 110.

Regarding the composition of the components 102 in more detail,reference is made to FIGS. 10A to 10D. According to a number ofembodiments, the composition may comprise a single polyolefin 112 asrepresented in FIG. 10A. As mentioned above, the polyolefin 112 may havea density in the range of about 1 lb/ft³ to about 9 lb/ft³.

In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 10B, the composition mayinclude a first polyolefin 114 and a second polyolefin 116. In some ofthe embodiments, the polythylenes 114 and 116 may be configured aslayers, thereby resulting in the component 102 being substantiallyplanar or plank-like. In many embodiments, the second polyolefin 116 mayhave a density that is greater than that of the first polyolefin 114.For example, in other embodiments, the first polyolefin 114 may have adensity less than about 4 lb/ft³, and the second polyolefin may have adensity greater than about 4 lb/ft³. Alternatively, the first polyolefin114 may have a density in the range of about 1 lb/ft³ to about 9 lb/ft³,and the second polyolefin 116 may have a density in the range of about 4lb/ft³ to about 12 lb/ft³. In still other embodiments, the firstpolyolefin 114 may have a density in the range of about 1 lb/ft³ toabout 2 lb/ft³, and the second polyolefin 116 may have a density in therange of about 6 lb/ft³ to about 9 lb/ft³.

In some of the embodiments, one or both of the polyolefins 114 and 116may be colored. Having a greater density than the first polyolefin 114,the second polyolefin 116 may be colored more vibrantly or with agreater saturation than the first polyolefin 114. As shown in FIG. 10B,the second polyolefin 116 may be in a layer. In the example describedbelow, the second polyolefin 116 layer may have a thickness in manyembodiments ranging from about {fraction (1/16)} inch to about ½ inch.

With continued reference to FIG. 10B, in a number of embodiments, thecomposition of one or more of the components 102 may include a thirdpolyolefin 118. The density of the third polyolefin 118 may range fromabout 4 lb/ft³ to about 12 lb/ft³. Accordingly, the components 102 maybe made from a composition including a plurality of polyolefins. Inlayered embodiments, the polyolefins may be laminated by heat, adheredtogether with adhesive, or chemically bonded together.

Referencing FIG. 10C, in a number of embodiments the composition fromwhich the components 102 may be made may include a utility layer 120. Insome of the embodiments, the utility layer 120 may include a markablesurface such as a dry-erase board. In other embodiments, the utilitylayer 120 may include an attachment surface such as hook-and-eyefasteners (e.g., Velcro®). In addition, the attachment surface mayinclude a surface to which common objects may be releaseably attached,such as Legos®. In still other embodiments, the attachment surface maybe magnetic or configured so that magnets are attachable thereto. Theutility layer 120 may be substantially coextensive with one or bothsides of a component 102 or, alternatively, may cover a smaller area onone of the sides of a component 102. In addition, the utility layer 120may provide a skin for printing graphics, text, artwork, and so on.

According to some of the embodiments, the composition of the components102 may include an adhesion layer 122 as shown in FIG. 10D. For example,the adhesion layer 122 may include an adhesive so that two components102 may be secured together by pressing the adhesive layers together. Inother embodiments, the adhesion layer 122 may include material that isactivated by heat. For example, the adhesion layer 122 may includematerial that has a melting point of above approximately 180° Fahrenheit(F), such as polyolefin.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, two components 102 may besecured together by positioning or abutting the adhesive layer 112 ofone of the components 102 against a surface of another one of thecomponents 102, which may be another adhesive layer 122 (as shown inFIG. 11A) or a polyolefin layer (e.g., 112, 116, 118). Heat may then beapplied to the adhesive layer 122 as shown in FIG. 11B, for example,with an iron or a blow dryer. Accordingly, heat causes a reaction of theadhesive layer 122 to adhere to the abutting surface. In contrast to thereleasable engagement described above, the securing of components 102 byheat is a permanent engagement.

In other embodiments, heat may be applied by inserting a thin resistiveelement 124 as shown in FIG. 12. The resistive element 124 generatesheat when electrical power 126 is applied. An example of a resistiveelement or heater is a flexible heating element produced by WatlowElectric Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Mo. (www.watlow.com). Tosecure, the resistive element 124 is positioned between two of thecomponents as shown in FIG. 13, and power 126 is applied, therebycausing the composition 112 abutting the resistive element 124 to melt.When the power 126 is disconnected, the composition 112 cools, therebyadhering the components 102 and the resistive element 124 together.

With further reference to FIG. 1A, one or more of the components 102 mayinclude a plurality of retaining elements 106. More specifically,component 102 a may include retaining elements 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, . .. , 106 m, and may include a plurality of one or more specific types ofretaining elements. In the specific embodiment shown, retaining elements106 a and 106 b include puzzle piece-type of complementary structures,retaining element 106 c includes a three-sided slot, retaining element106 d includes an elongated rectangular socket, retaining element 106 eincludes a square-like socket, and retaining element 106 m includes anotch. As shown, component 102 a includes any number of any one of theretaining elements 106. In addition, any number of the retainingelements 106 may have a different configuration (i.e., rectilinear,curvilinear, size, shape, and so on).

According to some of the embodiments, one or more of the retainingelements 106 may be configured to be engageable with not only one but aplurality of other retaining elements 106 each having a differentconfiguration. For example, retaining element 106 a of component 102 bmay be compressed to engage with at least retaining elements 106 c, 106d, and 106 e of component 102 a. Accordingly, in addition toconstructing the predefined structures 104, the components 102 may beattached together in any number of random configurations.

EXAMPLE 1

As mentioned above, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a set 100 ofbuilding components 102 that are configured to enable one or morepredefined structures 104 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. To construct thepredefined structure 104 a shown in FIG. 2, i.e., a table and chairs,reference is made to FIGS. 14A to 14F.

To construct a chair, components 102 g may be coupled together as shownin FIG. 14A for a base, with component 102 j forming a seat andcomponent 102 h forming a back as shown in FIG. 14B. Components 102 imay be coupled between the back and the seat to provide added stability.A second chair may be constructed analogously.

To construct a table, components 102 a to 102 f may be laid out as shownin FIG. 14C. Components 102 a may be coupled to form a table top asshown in FIG. 14D, with components 102 b, 102 c, 102 e, and 102 fconnected as shown to form a portion of a base. As shown in FIG. 14E,components 102 d may be coupled as shown to complete the base. The tablemay then be turned over to complete the predefined structure of a tableand chairs 104 a as shown in FIG. 14F. As an example of scale,components 102 a that make up the table top may be on the order of about3 feet to 4 feet for a table and chairs designed for a children'sembodiment. In addition, the thickness of the components 102 may be onthe order of a few inches so that the chairs can support the weight of alarge child or even an adult.

To reconfigure or reconstruct the predefined structure of a table andchairs 104 a into another one of the predefined structures, reference ismade to FIGS. 15A to 15G. As shown in FIG. 15A, with the table andchairs 104 a already constructed, the table may be turned on its side asshown in FIG. 15B, with one of the components 102 a being removed. Asshown in FIG. 15C, components 102 c and 102 e may then be removed.Component 102 a that was removed may then be reconnected as shown inFIG. 15D. The chairs may be disassembled (not shown) with components 102h laid out, along with components 102 k, 102 l, and 102 m as shown inFIG. 15E. Components 102 e may then be reconnected as shown in FIG. 15F,with component 102 k connected as a propeller shaft. Components 102 hfrom the chairs may be connected as wings as shown in FIG. 15G, withcomponent 102 l being connected as a propeller, component 102 m beingconnected as a rudder or steering wheel, and component 102 n beingconnected as a tail fin, thereby resulting in the predefined structureof an airplane 104 b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the set 100 may include other components that arenot used in construction of structures 104 a and 104 b, which aregenerally referenced as components 102 o, 102 p, 102 q, . . . , 102 z.However, these components 102 may be utilized in constructing any numberof other predefined structures 104, including but not limited to a boat104 c (including component 102 q as a propeller) as shown in FIG. 16, acar 104 d (with components 102 o as bumpers) as shown in FIG. 17, a firetruck 104 e (with component 102 z as a steering column) as shown in FIG.18, a rocker 104 f as shown in FIG. 19, a cradle 104 g as shown in FIG.20, a vanity 104 h as shown in FIG. 21, a lemonade stand 104 i (withcomponents 102 p as flags) as shown in FIG. 22, and a castle 104 j (withcomponents 102 p as flags) as shown in FIG. 23. Accordingly, thebuilding set 100 may be configured so that the predefined structures 104may include furniture (e.g., a table and chairs, a rocker, a cradle, avanity, a lemonade stand, and so on) and play structures (e.g., a plane,a boat, a car, a fire truck, a castle, and so on).

Because of the resiliency of the components, additional objects may becoupled to the structures 104, such as flashlights 126 as shown in FIG.17. As shown in the example, a number of the components 102 may besubstantially planar. Accordingly, such planar components 102 may be cutfrom planks of polyolefin stock. The cutting process may be accomplishedby a water-jet cutting device or by any other alternative cuttingmethod. With particular reference to FIG. 16, component 102 a isillustrated according to the layered embodiment of FIG. 10B, with thefirst polyolefin layer 114 being a first color and the second polyolefinlayer 116 being a second color. The third polyolefin layer 118 may alsobe a different color, or the same color as layer 116, which is shown.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding embodimentsof the present invention provide the foundation for numerousalternatives and modifications thereto. For example, as shown in FIG.24, in a number of embodiments, one or more of the components 102 may beconfigured so that only the retaining elements 106 are resilient andcompressible, while a main body 128 of the component 102 issubstantially non-resilient. These other modifications are also withinthe scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described in the presentinvention.

1. A building set comprising a plurality of building components; a firstone of the components having a first retaining element and a second oneof the components having a second retaining element; and at least thefirst retaining element including resilient material such that when theretaining elements are engaged together, the first retaining element iscompressed and applies a spring force against the second retainingelement, thereby securing the retaining elements together.
 2. Thebuilding set of claim 1 wherein a number of the components are made froma composition including a polyolefin such that the components areresilient.
 3. The building set of claim 2 wherein each of the number ofcomponents includes a retaining element for engaging with the retainingelement of another one of the components.
 4. The building set of claim 2wherein the polyolefin has a density in the range of about 1 pound percubic foot (lb/ft³) to about 9 lb/ft³.
 5. The building set of claim 2wherein the composition includes polyethylene.
 6. The building set ofclaim 2 wherein the composition includes a first polyolefin having adensity and a second polyolefin having a density that is different thanthat of the first polyolefin.
 7. The building set of claim 6 wherein thefirst polyolefin has a density less than about 4 lb/ft³, and the secondpolyolefin has a density greater than about 4 lb/ft³.
 8. The buildingset of claim 6 wherein the first polyolefin has a density in the rangeof about 1 lb/ft³ to about 2 lb/ft³, and the second polyolefin has adensity in the range of about 4 lb/ft³ to about 12 lb/ft³.
 9. Thebuilding set of claim 6 wherein at least one of the components isconfigured such that the first polyolefin and the second polyolefin arelayered.
 10. The building set of claim 6 wherein the first polyolefinand the second polyolefin have different colors.
 11. The building set ofclaim 2 wherein the composition includes an adhesion layer.
 12. Thebuilding set of claim 11 wherein the adhesion layer includes adhesive.13. The building set of claim 11 wherein the adhesion layer includesmaterial that is activated by heat.
 14. The building set of claim 13wherein the adhesion layer includes a polyolefin with a melting point ofat least about 180° Fahrenheit (F).
 15. The building set of claim 2wherein the composition includes a utility layer.
 16. The building setof claim 15 wherein the utility layer includes a markable surface. 17.The building set of claim 15 wherein the utility layer includes anattachment surface.
 18. The building set of claim 1 further comprisingat least one of the components is made from a composition excludingpolyolefin.
 19. The building set of claim 18 wherein at least one of thecomponents made from a composition excluding polyolefin includes aretaining element that is substantially non-resilient.
 20. The buildingset of claim 1 wherein the first retaining element includes a peg andthe second retaining element includes a socket.
 21. The building set ofclaim 20 wherein the peg is substantially rectilinear.
 22. The buildingset of claim 20 wherein the peg is substantially curvilinear.
 23. Thebuilding set of claim 20 wherein the socket is substantiallyrectilinear.
 24. The building set of claim 20 wherein the socket issubstantially curvilinear.
 25. The building set of claim 20 wherein thepeg has at least one dimension that is greater than a correspondingdimension of the socket.
 26. The building set of claim 1 wherein atleast one of the components includes a plurality of retaining elements.27. The building set of claim 26 wherein the plurality of retainingelements includes a plurality of different configurations.
 28. Thebuilding set of claim 27 wherein at least one of the retaining elementsis engageable with a plurality of retaining elements each having adifferent configuration.
 29. The building set of claim 1 wherein thecomponents are configured such that a number of predefined structuresare constructible with at least a plurality of the components.
 30. Thebuilding set of claim 1 wherein the components are configured such thata first predefined structure is constructible with at least a pluralityof the components.
 31. The building set of claim 30 wherein thecomponents are configured such that a second predefined structure isconstructible with at least a plurality of the components.
 32. Thebuilding set of claim 31 wherein the first and the second predefinedstructures are constructed with the same components.
 33. A method forbuilding structures, the method comprising: providing a plurality ofbuilding components, a first one of the components having a firstretaining element and a second one of the components having a secondretaining element, at least the first retaining element includingresilient material; and coupling the first one of the components to thesecond one of the components by urging the first retaining element intothe second retaining element, such that the first retaining element iscompressed and applies a spring force against the second retainingelement, thereby securing the retaining elements together.
 34. Themethod of claim 33 wherein a plurality of the components each has aretaining element with a different configuration, further comprising:decoupling the components by urging the first retaining element out ofthe second retaining element; and coupling the first one of thecomponents with another one of the components having a retaining elementwith a different configuration.
 35. The method of claim 33 wherein theplurality of components are configured such that a number of predefinedstructures are constructible with a set of the components, furthercomprising: coupling the set of components together in a predeterminedmanner to construct one of the predefined structures.
 36. The method ofclaim 35 further comprising: decoupling the set of components; andcoupling the set of components together in another predetermined mannerto construct another one of the predefined structures.
 37. A method forbuilding structures, the method comprising: providing a plurality ofbuilding components each being made from a composition including apolyolefin that has a melting point of at least about 180° F.;positioning two of the components together such that the components abutalong an interface; applying heat at or near the interface that issufficient to cause the polyolefin to melt; removing the heat such thatthe polyolefin cools, thereby adhering the two components together. 38.The method of claim 37 wherein: the step of the applying heat comprises:positioning a resistive element between the components at the interface;and applying power to the resistive element. the step of removing theheat comprises: disconnecting the power from the resistive element. 39.The method of claim 37 wherein the step of applying heat comprises:directing hot air at or near the interface.
 40. A building set for usein constructing a plurality of predefined structures, the building setcomprising: a plurality of components each made from a resilientmaterial and including a retaining element being defined by at least onedimension; a number of the retaining elements having a dimension that isgreater than a corresponding dimension of another one of the retainingelements such that the retaining element with a greater dimension iscompressed and thereby exerts a spring force against the other retainingelement with a small dimension when engaged therewith; the plurality ofcomponents being configured such that a plurality predefined structuresare constructible from the components.
 41. The building set of claim 40wherein the plurality of predefined structures includes furniture. 42.The building set of claim 40 wherein the plurality of predefinedstructures includes play structures.